Learning Resources

Instructional materials for metal artists in print, e-stories, and video

FOLDFORMING by Charles Lewton-BrainThe ultimate reference on foldforming from the artist who invented this groundbreaking approach to working with metal. By taking advantage of the inherent qualities of the material, foldforming develops organic forms in metal with minimum effort.

​Hundreds of sequential photographs demonstrate techniques to make a wide range of forms. Foldforming lends itself to all branches and levels of metalsmithing, from jewelry to blacksmithing, beginners to advanced artists.Purchase from Amazon.

Charles Lewton-Brain provides a wealth of information about foldforming and additional topics for metal artists. Take a deep dive into any topic that interests you. Here are some links to get you started.

Begin with an overview of fold types; follow links to illustrated, step-by-step tutorials and discussion of tools.

Instructional Videos

These videos by Charles Lewton-Brain are available on the Alberta College of Art + Design's YouTube channel ACADonline. Explore the channel for a treasure trove of arts videos, or click directly to their Jewelry and Metalworking playlist. Also explore Charles Lewton-Brain's personal foldforming playlist that includes many instructional slideshow videos.

​​These next two videos are profiles of Charles Lewton-Brain. Meet the man who brought us foldforming.

Videos from Rio Grande and CraftsyIn addition to Rio Grande's paid videos on Craftsy (above) they also offer short introductory videos free on YouTube. Google for more topics! They also worked with Craftsy and Charles Lewton-Brain to develop Professional Foldforming Techniques, available for a charge on Craftsy.

The Plunkett Fold​Video by Mark Nelson at Rio Grande

The Rueger Fold​Video by Mark Nelson at Rio Grande

Professional Foldforming TechniquesCharles Lewton-Brain teaches foldforming; available for purchase on Craftsy.

e-Stories and Handouts

Large Scale Foldforming with Linda Leviton​Story by Sue Lacy

Linda Leviton, Lewis Center, OH, U.S., stands with her sculpture made with "Scoring and Bending" technique

​In June 2015, the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, OH hosted a four-day workshop on Large Scale Foldforming. The instructor was Linda Leviton, a talented artist who creates commissioned metal installations for spaces like corporate atriums, hospitals, and universities.

Follow these links for plenty of video from her Large Scale Foldforming workshop and practical tips on topics like "scoring and bending," painting on metal, modifying your shears, brazing components together, creating templates and more.

"Here's the thing. Consider your favorite sight-seeing vacation, ever. Maybe you strolled on a beach looking out into a vast blue ocean... or stood in the valley of a sweeping mountain range... or enjoyed a beautiful city skyline from the perfect vantage point. Even while you're still pulling the camera out of its case, you already know your images will never capture more than a small fraction of the true experience.

And so it is with this workshop. After all, this is Charles Lewton-Brain. There is so much that just couldn't be captured. So take this for what it's worth-- an appetizer -- and consider attending one of his upcoming classes."

The following infographics may be helpful for artists and art classrooms. ​